God’s Word Championed in Branson
A Report from the Defending the Truth Family Conference in Branson, Missouri
by Douglas W. Phillips, Esq., July 23, 2008
Last week, approximately two thousand Christians came as families to Branson, Missouri, for an historic joint conference between Answers in Genesis, Vision Forum Ministries, and Voddie Baucham Ministries. The event, which was filmed by Vision Forum Ministries, included messages on Creation, culture, Christian apologetics, and family reformation. Special music provided by Buddy Davis contributed to the joyful spirit of the event, which also included film clips provided by Answers in Genesis and Vision Forum Ministries, including several episodes of the Everyday News Network and a brief “behind the scenes” documentary look at the Jonathan Park Creation Radio Drama.
Both in the context of my work for the Institute for Creation Research as adjunct professor of apologetics, and on the home school conference trail, it has been my privilege to cross paths with Ken Ham, and sometimes serve with him as a speaker, but this was the first jointly sponsored event between Answers in Genesis and Vision Forum Ministries. In a day and age when an ungodly territoriality and other Satanically-inspired confusion deceptions are often used as wedges to prevent ministries from working with each other—thus diminishing the effective witness of the Body of Christ—it was a blessing for those in attendance to see the spirit of unity and agreement between the three speakers and their ministries. Many individuals commented that the event was the best they had ever attended, and that they particularly appreciated the way in which the speakers brought different styles of communication to present a unified and harmonious message.
Ken Ham served as MC of the event and also brought pointed, humorous, and thoughtful messages on the subjects of “Genesis and the Secularization of America,” Learning How to Think Biblically,” “The Ten Most Asked Questions About Creation, Evolution and Genesis,” and “How to Reach Today’s World With the Gospel.”
My good friend Dr. Voddie Baucham brought powerful messages on the nature of the “Culture War,” on “Why Believe the Bible,” on “Life’s Ultimate Questions,” on “Biblical Manhood,” and on “The Person of Christ.” He kept the audience riveted in their seats as he exposited the Word of God and presented a practical defense of Christian orthodoxy. His personal stories and practical wisdom generated both side-splitting laughter at times and tears of compassionate understanding at other moments.
My own messages included “A Family Vision of Victory,” “Jerusalem and Athens: The Battle for Christian Culture,” “The Devolution of Law,” and “Taking Every Frame Captive.” I closed my part of the event Friday night with “The Promise: The Power and Blessings of the Fifth Commandment” in which I presented more than twenty Scriptures that address the imperative of honorable speech, conduct, and behavior within the Christian family and society as a whole. Most gratifying to me were the many testimonies I received after the message from young men and women, and even adults, who were so impacted by the Scriptures presented that they desired to change course altogether and become men and women of honor. May the Lord be praised.
It was a special blessing to share the podium over the course of the week with men who share broad agreement on fundamentals. All three speakers shared a commitment to presuppositional apologetics, the sovereignty of God, and the literal/historical/grammatical approach to Genesis.
These theological commitments, combined with a shared passion for the Christian family, served as a clarion cry by each of the speakers for believers to return to the Scripture. Many were affected by this clear and uncompromising message, and we pray that the Gospel seeds that were sown will continue to bear fruit.
Another great benefit of an event like this is that it gives ministry leaders like Voddie, Ken, and myself the important time to fellowship as friends and servants of the Lord, and our time together on this occasion was extremely fruitful, for which I thank God.
Vision Forum Ministries videotaped the event and is considering producing and releasing the messages to the general public. Stay tuned for more information when it becomes available.
Special thanks to all of our friends from around America who shared their vacation with Ken and Mally, the Phillips family, and the Baucham family. We are truly grateful to each and every one of you.